The queen's birthday was always a special event in the kingdom's calendar. The holiday was eagerly awaited, not only because it was a celebration of the monarch, but also because it was an opportunity to enjoy a more relaxed and personal atmosphere at a time when the responsibilities of the throne often weighed more heavily than anything else. However, unlike other monarchs who preferred grand celebrations at the palace, with lavish banquets and elegant courtiers, the queen had always had a peculiar taste: she preferred to take a vacation with a noble family with whom she shared a good relationship. This year, as on several previous occasions, the family chosen was the Valois, an ancient nobility whose lineage and values shared a deep connection with Priscilla's royalty. This made clear not only the closeness of their friendship, but also the strong bonds of loyalty and respect between the two families, something vital in monarchical circles, where alliances of blood and power were fundamental to maintaining the stability of the kingdom.

  The destination of this escape was Inverness Fortress, a property belonging to the queen that stood majestically on the Scottish highlands, known for its strategic location. Its high gray stone walls, reinforced with sturdy battlements, spoke of centuries of history, battles, and defenses. Despite its fortified nature, the interior of the fortress offered an intriguing contrast, with a warmth and comfort that softened the harshness of the exterior. Hand-woven rugs covered the cold stone floors, while tapestries, crafted in royal workshops, told stories of ancient times, myths, and legends, transporting those who observed them to times long past. Fireplaces, carefully placed in every corner, emitted a cozy warmth, creating a warm refuge from the icy winds blowing from the nearby hills.

  The journey to Inverness was undoubtedly part of the magic of the trip. Although the fortress was located far from the capital, the route to get there was simple but charming. Travelers boarded an elegant ship that would take them across a crystal-clear lake surrounded by majestic mountains. The air was filled with the fresh, invigorating scent of nature, while the waters of the lake reflected the clear sky with such clarity that it looked like a perfect mirror, giving the landscape an almost surreal feel. The journey, though short, was long enough to allow passengers to immerse themselves in the tranquility of their surroundings.

  Priscila, who had been a princess since the tragic death of her parents, stood on the deck, watching the landscape slowly approach. Her thoughts were lost in the calm of the lake, while the gentle but steady wind ruffled her hair and made her feel part of the landscape, almost as if she were just another traveler instead of a monarch with a future full of responsibilities. It was at that moment, when the image of the fortress became clearer on the horizon, that Máximo, who had been watching her from a respectful distance, decided to approach.

  —It's beautiful, isn't it? — he commented, resting his hands on the railing next to her, his eyes following the same visual path as the queen's.

  Priscila looked at him for a brief second before responding, without taking her eyes off the landscape.

  —Yes, it looks like a place out of a fairy tale. — she said with a slight smile, as if sharing a secret with the landscape.

  There was a brief silence between them. It wasn't uncomfortable, but it was charged with unspoken thoughts, one of those conversations that aren't made with words, but with the simple presence of the other person. Finally, it was Máximo who broke the silence, in a way that made Priscila, even though she was still looking at the hills, feel his voice echo inside her.

  —Have you ever wondered what it would be like to live in a place like this? Far from all the noise of the palace, with no worries other than the essentials. Just the landscape, the fresh air... the peace.

  Priscila let out a soft laugh, with an expression that showed a mixture of surprise and amusement.

  —You? Living without your parties, without your courtship, without all that hustle and bustle? I don't think so.

  Maximus smiled broadly, not a hint of discomfort at Priscilla's observation.

  —Perhaps you underestimate me. Although I admit that I miss few things about life in the palace, I could enjoy the tranquility of a place like this. The absence of all that hustle and bustle... is tempting.

  Priscila looked at him for a moment, Maximo thoughtful expression echoing in her own heart. Then her voice emerged again, more thoughtful this time.

  —I would too. But I think after a while I'd start to miss the responsibilities. I'm too... how can I put it? Incapable of staying still for very long.

  Maximo nodded, as if he had already anticipated her response, but he still looked at her with a slight, knowing smile.

  —I can imagine that. But maybe that's because you've never been given the option. They haven't given you time to choose, have they?

  Maximo's words, so simple and accurate, surprised Priscila. However, before she could formulate a response, the boat began to slow down, a sign that their destination was near. The image of Inverness Fortress, already standing imposingly in the sunlight, became even more present in her mind. The towers of the fortress seemed to want to touch the sky, while the sound of the nearby river joined the wind, welcoming visitors.

  —Well, it looks like our adventure is about to begin. —Máximo commented with a smile.

  Priscila nodded, excitement bubbling beneath her usual seriousness, and together they joined the group waiting to disembark. Arriving in Inverness meant more than just a new stage in their journey; it was the beginning of something that, although uncertain, promised to be memorable.

  As they made their way through the corridors of the fortress, Priscilla felt her childhood memories come flooding back with every step. The stone walls, adorned with antique tapestries, seemed to tell stories of their own, stories that needed no words to be understood.

  When she reached the library, she paused for a few seconds in the doorway, as if waiting for time to stand still. The library was her refuge, a place where she always found comfort in the books that lined the shelves perfectly. The room, with two floors of bookshelves filled with books, was bathed in soft daylight filtering through large windows. The aromas of old paper and polished wood filled the air, while the bronze lamps hanging from the ceiling gave the place a timeless feel.

  Priscila descended the first steps of the library with the familiarity of someone returning home, but stopped when she saw that she was not alone. Next to one of the lower shelves, Máximo was immersed in a book, apparently so concentrated that he did not notice her presence at first. His attire was more relaxed than usual, but he still maintained that noble demeanor that characterized him so well.

  —You again? — Priscila asked with a smile that combined surprise and mischief, as if finding him there was a joke between them.

  Maximo looked up slowly when he heard her, seeming surprised at first. But as soon as he recognized her, a relaxed smile spread across his face.

  —What can I say? Books have always been a refuge for me. — he replied, as if it were the most natural thing in the world. Then, with a hint of curiosity, he added. —Are you here looking for something too?

  Priscila looked at him for a moment before replying in a playful tone.

  —Something more interesting, perhaps? — she teased, crossing her arms. —Something different. Something that has nothing to do with politics, strategies, or commitments. Something that makes me think or, better yet, dream. — he said, putting down the book he was holding and choosing another one from the shelf, as if he needed something to transport him to another world.

  —This library has always been my favorite place in the fortress. — she said, her gaze sweeping over the shelves that seemed to whisper memories. —When I was a child, I used to get lost here for hours. My grandmother always said that if she couldn't find me in the observatory, I was surely here, immersed in a book.

  Maximo looked at her with a mixture of admiration and curiosity, as if trying to unravel more about her through these little stories.

  —Let me guess. — he said, with a smile that suggested he was amused by delving into his friend's mysteries. —Were you one of those who devoured adventure books, or did you prefer romantic stories?

  Priscila let out a soft laugh, amused by the question.

  —A little of both, to be honest. But I always had a weakness for fantasy books, the ones that transport you to worlds where anything is posible. — she replied with a sparkle in her eyes, as if sharing a secret with him.

  Maximo nodded, putting down the book he was holding and choosing another with equal care.

  —I enjoy fantasy too. — he said thoughtfully. — It's liberating to read about heroes fighting dragons or impossible journeys to magical places. What about you? If you could choose anything right now, no rules, no restrictions, what would it be?

  Priscila thought about her answer as her eyes scanned the spines of the books around her. The whisper of the pages seemed to offer her answers, as if all that history were at her fingertips.

  —Travel. — she said finally, with a dreamy smile. — Visit all the places I've only read about in books. What would you do?

  He smiled, leaning back in his chair as he thought about the question.

  — I think I'd like to create something. — he replied sincerely. — A book, a sculpture, something that will outlive me.

  Priscila looked at him, intrigued by what he had just said. There was something in the way he said it, something in his gaze, that showed a vulnerability she hadn't expected.

  They both fell silent for a moment, but it wasn't uncomfortable. On the contrary, the silence was comfortable, as if everything around them had disappeared, leaving only the two of them in the vast, possibility-filled space of that library.

  In that instant, the library ceased to be just a place full of books and became a space of deep connection between two people who, despite their differences, shared more than they realized. The noise of the outside world faded away and, for a moment, only they existed, surrounded by stories that were not told only with words, but with what was left unsaid, with what was felt.

  The queen's celebration had been, as always, a special occasion, but this time it felt even warmer and more intimate. Unlike the traditional large festivities full of formalities and protocols, this evening had been planned to be more intimate. Everything was carefully planned, but in such a way that it did not lose the essence of closeness that had always marked the queen's celebrations. The soft, enveloping music, the delicacies arranged on long tables that invited leisurely conversation, the dim lights that gave the hall a cozy atmosphere. Despite the elegance of the evening, the queen had managed to create a familiar, almost homely atmosphere, as if royalty itself had shed, if only for one night, the barriers that always marked its position.

  The dinner was served with care: from an exquisite venison roast prepared by the best chefs in the kingdom to traditional sweets with a touch of spice that reflected the history and culture of their land. The aromas wafted through the air, mingling with soft laughter and relaxed conversation. Everyone present, though noble and distinguished, seemed to have left behind the masks of their rank, enjoying an evening without the pressure of the kingdom's expectations.

  Priscila was enjoying the relaxed atmosphere, a stark contrast to the endless days of formal events that often surrounded her. The night was young and quiet. She decided to approach the Valois brothers, who were chatting animatedly in a corner of the room, caught up in one of those conversations that only arise between good friends.

  —How about we go to the observatory? — she asked, her voice full of the mischief that always characterized her when she came up with an unusual idea. Her eyes sparkled with excitement as she looked at them, as if her proposal were a secret shared only between them. — We don't have to worry about formalities now, and I know you'd love it too.

  The Valois siblings, as always, were delighted to go along with her plans, knowing how special that place was to Priscilla. They had heard the stories about the observatory, about how she used to get lost there for hours, absorbed in contemplating the sky. Oliver, the most enthusiastic of them all, didn't hesitate for a second.

  —Let's go! — Oliver said with a broad smile, raising the glass of juice in his hand, as if the celebration itself were propelling him to follow Priscilla on her little adventure.

  Priscilla smiled, grateful for his willingness, and leading them quickly, she guided them through the palace corridors. As they climbed the stairs to the observatory, the noise of the banquet seemed to fade away little by little, leaving behind the hubbub of the party. The cool night breeze caressed their faces, carrying with it the freshness of the mountains and the soft song of crickets. Each step toward the observatory was a step away from the world of the court, from the expectations that always weighed on Priscilla's shoulders. The simple fact of being in that space gave them a sense of freedom, of shedding, even if only for a while, the chains of their status.

  When they arrived, the view that unfolded before them was even more impressive than Priscila had remembered. The observatory, with its vaulted glass ceiling and carved stone walls, seemed to be made to frame the starry sky, as if the entire universe could observe them through those open windows. The telescope, a majestic object, pointed toward a distant constellation, while the moonlight reflected off the glass surfaces, creating flashes that gave the place an almost magical air.

  This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.

  The Valois siblings approached the telescope with great interest. Oliver, who had always been more curious, was the first to look through the lens, trying to identify the stars and constellations shining in the darkness. Priscilla, on the other hand, stood still for a moment, gazing at the sky. She closed her eyes, letting the cool breeze caress her skin, feeling the tranquility of the place begin to calm the inner storm that always seemed to accompany her in her responsibilities as a princess. The court, the duties, the commitments... all that seemed very distant at that moment. Here, in this place, she was simply Priscilla, a young woman who wanted to find peace in the immensity of the universe.

  As the Valois brothers left, Priscilla decided to stay a little longer, enjoying the quiet. She was in no hurry to return to the hustle and bustle of the party; in the observatory

  she found a peace that she rarely found elsewhere. It was her refuge, the place where she could be herself without the expectations of the throne, without the curious glances of the courtiers.

  A few minutes later, she heard a soft sound behind her. Turning around, she saw Maximus standing in the doorway, watching her with a slight smile on his face. She hadn't noticed him arrive, but now that he was there, she couldn't help feeling a little surprised.

  — You seem to like it here. — Maximus asked in a soft voice, his tone perfectly harmonizing with the serenity of the space.

  Priscilla nodded without taking her eyes off the starry sky. There was something about the stillness of the night that invited her to speak with a sincerity she rarely allowed herself.

  —It's one of the few places where I can find peace. I've always loved coming here.— She paused, as if her words came more easily under the starlight. — My grandmother had this observatory built especially for me when I was a child.— She smiled slightly, as if the mere mention of it connected her to her past. — And it's magical, isn't it?

  Máximo approached her slowly, stood beside her, and looked up at the stars. The conversation flowed naturally between them, as if the entire universe had brought them together to share that small space in time.

  —It definitely has something special. — he said thoughtfully. Then, looking up at the stars, he added, — It's funny how sometimes the places we choose define us more than we think, isn't it?

  Priscila looked at him, surprised by his insight, a smile forming on her lips as she thought about the depth of his words. Sometimes places have a strange way of reflecting our souls. It seemed that he understood this too.

  — Yes. — she replied softly. — Sometimes places have the ability to show us things we don't even know about ourselves.

  The silence that followed was one of those comfortable silences, loaded with meaning but requiring no words to explain it. They both remained there, gazing at the stars, lost in their own thoughts but sharing the space and stillness of the moment. The gentle wind, the distant sounds of nature, and the starlight were the only witnesses to what was happening between them, something intangible but real.

  Finally, it was Priscila who broke the silence, turning to him with a slight smile.

  —What brings you here, watching me? — she asked, her tone now more playful, as if she had let down any barriers to speak more honestly.

  —I couldn't let you enjoy this place without bothering you. — he replied, matching Priscila's tone. — Besides, you seem to really like this place, and... I'd like to know a little more about what you like.

  Priscila raised an eyebrow, surprised by his response. It was rare for someone to know her so well, to understand so quickly what attracted her. But she didn't feel uncomfortable. At that moment, with the stars above them, something inside her felt relieved.

  —Do you think I'm that predictable? — she joked playfully.

  Maximo smiled, without taking his eyes off the stars.

  — No, it's not that. I just... I think sometimes it's not easy to find those places where you really feel like yourself. And this seems like one of those places for you.

  Priscila stared at him, surprised by what he had said. Something in his words made her pause, think, and for the first time, feel that someone had touched a part of her that she rarely showed. It wasn't just a play on words or casual conversation. In that moment, in the silence of the observatory, something in the air changed, and although they didn't fully understand it, they both knew that this moment would remain etched in their memories in a profound way. And despite its simplicity, it was more meaningful than either of them could explain at that precise moment.

  The stillness of the observatory seemed to be a perfect reflection of the peace they both felt in that secluded space. The stars, scattered and distant, shone with an almost supernatural intensity, as if each sparkle were an echo of a time that no longer existed. Priscila, absorbed in the magnificence of the sky, felt as if she were part of something much larger, an infinite whole in which time dissolved. The soft silver light of the moon streamed through the windows, creating delicate patterns on the cold stone surfaces, while the breeze, like a distant whisper, traced invisible lines that caressed her face. In that place, everything seemed calm, as if the problems, the tensions of the court, the expectations of her life, had no place there. Only the vastness of the sky, the serenity of the moment, and the figure behind her existed, whose presence felt so close, so palpable, that it seemed to resonate within her very being.

  Máximo was there, behind her, so close she could feel the warmth of his body. Although she did not look at him, she could feel him. And even though silence enveloped everything around her, she could not stop thinking about him, about that silent presence, as constant as the stars themselves. The connection between them had become something more subtle, a wordless language that resonated in the air between them, transmitted through gestures, glances, small interventions that, though minimal, changed the entire course of the night. When his words came, soft, almost imperceptible, they felt like an echo in the vast space.

  — Your eyes shine when you see the wonders of the sky.

  The whisper of his words seemed to break the magic of the silence, a silence that Priscila had been enjoying fully. Her mind, for a moment, stopped, as if trying to unravel the mystery of those words. Was he referring to the stars? To herself? She wasn't sure, but something inside her trembled at the depth of the observation. Curiosity grew in her chest, and, without knowing why, a little insecurity crept into her soul, mixed with an inexplicable desire to understand what he was thinking at that moment.

  — Uh? — she asked, raising an eyebrow, surprised, not fully understanding the meaning of his words. But for some reason, she felt a little spark of unease run through her.

  Máximo, sensing her confusion, responded with a soft laugh, almost as if he had let slip a secret and was now slowly revealing it to her. His laugh was not mocking, but warm, stripped of any hint of arrogance. It was the laugh of someone who had found refuge in shared silence, in that very special, unique moment that enveloped everything.

  —You heard me. — he replied, his voice laden with a quiet complicity that hinted at something deeper. Something Priscilla couldn't quite identify, but was beginning to feel, as if his words were just the tip of an iceberg submerged in much deeper waters.

  Priscila, in an attempt to divert his attention, moved slightly away from him, walking toward a nearby table where some papers showing the coordinates for the telescope lay. But the moment her hand brushed the papers, something changed. Máximo's closeness became more palpable, more intense. It was as if the air itself was charged with a tension that could not be ignored. He moved closer, so close that she could almost feel his breath on her neck. A small shiver ran down her spine, but she didn't pull away. She didn't want to pull away.

  In a move that took her by surprise, Máximo wrapped his arms around her. It wasn't a tight hug, but the warmth of his closeness was enough to make everything else disappear. Priscila stood still for a moment, completely taken aback by the gesture, but something inside her urged her not to reject him. It was a connection that went beyond the physical, an invisible bond that united them, that spoke without words, that flowed as gently as the wind slipped through the observatory windows.

  — Do you want me to move away? — he asked, his voice a low whisper, almost as if he didn't want to break the calm that surrounded them. His question, far from being uncomfortable, was an invitation to decide something that, at that moment, seemed to need no answer. However, the question hung in the air, like a mystery that Priscila was not willing to solve so easily.

  Her body tensed slightly, but it wasn't out of discomfort. It was the intensity of the moment that made her feel so vulnerable, so exposed, as if everything she knew was crumbling before her eyes. And yet she didn't want to move, she didn't want him to leave. Something inside her told her to hold on to that feeling, to that connection that was happening, even though she didn't know how to describe it.

  — Don't you dare. — she replied, her voice laden with something between defiance and a soft laugh, as if trying to hide the roller coaster of emotions running through her.

  The tension between them broke with a small shared laugh, a brief escape from the intensity that had built up between them. And when their eyes met, Priscila could see something beyond Máximo's smile, something beyond his words. It was a deep look, charged with something undefined, something they both knew but couldn't express in simple words.

  The air seemed to thicken as the distance between them shortened. Maximo's gaze moved to her lips, and Priscila, feeling the weight of that gaze, felt almost as if she couldn't escape it. Everything around her faded away in that instant. There was no observatory, no stars shining in the sky. There was only the closeness between them, the contained desire that could no longer be ignored.

  —What are you looking at? — Priscila asked, her voice trembling but with a hint of defiance. She was playing with the moment, but she also feared it, even though she couldn't stop herself from wanting it all to happen.

  Maximo looked at her, his expression becoming more serious, almost intense, as his lips curved into a barely visible smile. And then his words came, short but loaded with meaning:

  — Something I want...

  The air became thick, charged with electricity. Priscila felt time stand still, his words piercing her skin. There was no more space between them. With an almost instinctive movement, their lips met, first timidly, as if testing each other, as if both were trying to understand what was happening, and then with a passion that enveloped them. The kiss wasn't long, but it was full of an intensity that marked the beginning of something they both knew would change everything.

  When they finally pulled apart, their smiles were almost silly, but sincere. There was a sense of surprise in both of them, as if they didn't know how they got there, but as if everything that had happened had led them to that moment. The observatory, in its silence, witnessed that moment that would remain etched in their memories, like a spark that lit a flame that, somehow, could not be easily extinguished.

  But just as they were trying to process what had happened, a voice from outside interrupted them, like a sudden blow that made them pull apart. Priscila, her heart still racing, left the observatory without looking back, trying to calm the storm that had just broken out in her chest. Máximo followed her a few minutes later, his mind filled with confusing thoughts and a feeling he couldn't understand. The silence that remained in the observatory seemed heavier than ever, but they both knew that this was not the end. What had begun in that moment, with that kiss that had been so unexpected, would set the course for what would happen next, a path that neither of them was prepared to take, but that neither of them could avoid.

  The next day, the atmosphere surrounding Priscila and Máximo was tinged with a tension so palpable that it seemed to float in the air, like an invisible fog that clung to everything they touched. They regularly crossed paths in the palace corridors, but their gazes, charged with a mixture of emotions that neither of them dared to name, always averted instantly. Every time their eyes met, a strange, silent dance of sensations invaded them both: a subtle blush took hold of their faces, and although they tried to appear indifferent, a spark of something more, something deeper, shone in their eyes. The embarrassment of what had happened the night before was intertwined with an unspoken happiness, as if an invisible bond united them in a way that neither of them fully understood.

  Priscila, so accustomed to etiquette and the impeccable composure required of royalty, walked through the halls with a firm and elegant gait, as if nothing had changed. Her demeanor, always serene, gave no hint of the whirlwind of emotions stirring inside her. The memory of the kiss came back to her at unexpected moments, a gentle but constant blow that made her blush and her heart race without warning. Why did she give it so much importance? she wondered, though she couldn't help it. Every time she thought of Máximo, something inside her quickened. That night had been more than just a brush of lips. It was a connection that couldn't be ignored, a bond that was forming between them without them being able to put a name to it.

  Despite his attempts to keep up appearances, Máximo was also filled with confusion and unease. Although his face remained impassive, his mind was still caught up in the intensity of what had happened. The image of Priscila, her face so close to his, the softness of her lips, haunted him like an echo, like a persistent shadow. He had tried to maintain a relaxed, almost carefree attitude, but something inside him had been disturbed. When he saw her, his gaze lingered longer than it should have, and his heart, which was usually so rational and controlled, beat faster than normal. How could he ignore what had happened? he wondered, with the feeling that something had changed irrevocably between them, even though neither of them wanted to verbalize it.

  The trip back to Rome was, as expected, silent and full of unresolved questions. The boat moved quickly through the water, but the journey seemed to drag on in their minds, each lost in their own thoughts. Although they shared the same space, the distance between them seemed greater than ever, as if words had vanished into thin air, leaving them trapped in a silent dialogue that neither of them knew how to break. The hours passed slowly, each minute a burden of silence that enveloped them. There was no laughter, no knowing glances, nothing but the heavy weight of what they were not saying.

  Upon arriving in Rome, Priscilla felt a mixture of relief and reluctance. On the one hand, returning to the palace, to the bustle of the court and the daily routine, made her feel like she was regaining some sense of normalcy, a respite from the calm of the island. However, at the same time, something inside her rebelled against that normalcy. The quiet she had enjoyed on the island seemed more appealing now, more necessary than ever. The peace she had found far from the court, in the silence of the starry skies, seemed like a refuge she could no longer reach so easily.

  The first thing she did when she arrived was to ask about Leandro. Her brother, whom she loved so much, had promised to write to her soon. However, this time, the answer she received left her uneasy. The person in charge of the mail informed her that, as on previous occasions, no letter had arrived from Leandro. The news was a slight but constant blow that began to echo in her chest. Although at first she had thought that delays in the mail or the distance were to blame, now she was not so sure. Leandro had promised her, had shown interest in keeping in touch with her. The absence of his letters, of his written voice, disturbed her, awakening within her a feeling of unease that she could not ignore. Was he all right? Or was there something he wasn't telling her? Doubt crept into her thoughts, and she couldn't help wondering if there was something more behind his silence. However, there was nothing she could do about it. The letters weren't coming, and that left a shadow of uncertainty in her heart. She decided not to give it too much importance, at least not right away, but the knot in her stomach remained.

  Despite her attempts to calm down, the uneasiness was still there. That night, as she retired to her room, something deeper and less easy to identify began to take hold of her. It was a feeling of emptiness, a void that did not seem to come solely from the lack of news from Leandro, but from something else. Something that had to do with the unspoken conversation with Máximo, with the kiss that had ceased to be a simple gesture and had become an unanswered question. She wasn't sure what disturbed her more: her brother's silence or the weight of what had been left unsaid between her and Máximo. Both thoughts intertwined in her mind, as if helping each other to create a tangle of unresolved emotions. All she knew was that something wasn't right, something had been disrupted, and that kept her on edge.

  The silence that enveloped the room didn't help. She couldn't help thinking about Leandro, about the lack of letters, about what that meant. And at the same time, she couldn't shake the feeling that things between her and Máximo had also changed, that their relationship had taken an irreparable turn. She lay down on her bed, staring at the ceiling without really seeing it, as the shadows of dusk began to cover the walls. The emptiness in her chest seemed to grow with every passing minute, as if everything that had happened, all the emotions she had suppressed for so long, were slowly seeping out. She couldn't help it, she couldn't calm down. Something was changing, and she didn't know how to deal with it.

  The lack of news from Leandro, the tension between her and Máximo, everything was mixed up in her mind, and she couldn't find any rest, any respite that would allow her to understand what was really happening. The stillness of the palace became a prison for her thoughts, and as darkness enveloped the outside world, Priscila felt more alone than ever.